Gordon Beningfield (British, 1936 - 1998) "Yellow Skunk Cabbage" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the U.S. 29c Yellow Skunk Cabbage stamp issued July 24, 1992. Arising from mucky soils of swamps and bottomlands in the northwest, the bizarre flowers of yellow skunk cabbage bloom early in the spring. The yellow, hood-like spathe unfolds to reveal a thick stalk -- called a spadix -- with hundreds of small, greenish flowers. The strong, unpleasant odor of the flowers -- not quite as bad as the smell of a skunk -- draws flies as pollinators. The genus name, which is derived from two Greek words meaning "loose" and "tunic," describes the appearance of the spathe. Bear, deer and other wildlife feed on the huge, fanlike leaves and fleshy stems. Although the roots are edible, they contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause a burning sensation in the mouth. Drying and roasting the roots, however, removes the crystals so that the roots can be ground into flour. Native Americans used the peppery sap to treat ringworm. Yellow skunk cabbage is a member of the arum family. Image Size: 7 x 6 in. Overall Size: 11.5 x 10.5 in. Unframed. (B13168)